Hi Mom's-
I am wondering if you can provide any guidance. My daughter just turned 8 months old and weighs about 23 pounds and is wearing 12-18 month clothes. I am concerned that I might be over-feeding her as she has never showed signs of being full. I always thought babies would tell you when they were full and so I have always fed her what I thought was right. But, now I am starting to wonder if I might be over-feeding her. Please help!
Here is her daily schedule:
5:30am- 7oz of formula
7:30am- 3oz of formula
9:30am- rice cereal mixed with fruit and 3 oz of formula before she goes for a nap
12:30pm- stage 2 meal- entire jar and 3 oz of formula before another nap.
3:30am- 5 oz of formula
5:30pm- stage 2 meal- entire jar and 2 oz of formula
6:30- 3 oz of formula and down for the night until 5:30am
Please give any advice that you can in terms of amount of food versus weight and amount of food that infants of similiar age are eating. Also, she is on Zanatac for Gastric Reflux and while she seems to be doing well with her reflux, I wonder if she isn't eating to soothe herself. So, any advice from Mom's whose children have reflux is also appreciated.
Thanks for all of your anticipated help...again!
N.
I agree with the others. I wouldn't worry about it. My 4 month old neice weighs 20 lbs, so I dug out my 4 year old's baby book to compare. My daughter was 20 lbs at 6 months and 28 by 15 months. But, at 2 years 3 months, she was only 32. So, the weight gain definately slows down.
I love chubby babies!
Our pediatrician gave us a sample eating plan fromt he American Dietetic Assoc and on it shows that babies 6-9 months should be getting most of their calories and nutrition from breatmilk or formula and should be taking anywhere from 24-36 ounces during the day in addition to any baby food (cereal, fruits, veggies, crackers, etc). So it sounds like you are on track - some babies are just bigger than others. I imagine as long as her weight and weight gain have been consistant then the doctor won't be worried and I am sure would indicate if she seemed to be gaining too quickly. You might just want to space out or combine the feedings though to allow her to indicate she is hungry.
If your pediatrician doesn't have any concerns and she is following her curve then I wouldn't worry about it. She might just pack on a lot earlier and not so much later. I am sure she is just fine... and don't worry about it or let anyone else let you think there is something wrong. :)
My Daughter was same, we had to switch her car seat around 10 months. And whola as she turned one her appetite went down and so does the wight gain. She is 20 months and 26 lbs.
Her interest is now in playing and having fun not eating. Our pediatric was never concerned earlier and nor now. Best advice to follow is pediatric if you have your trust on him/her.
What does your pediatrician have to say about this? As long as he or she is fine with your baby's health and development, then I wouldn't worry at all! The only thing that I see that is somewhat different than what I am used to is that the baby eats 7 times a day, but I'm going to guess the constant snacking/smaller meals helps with the reflux. My 8 month old baby takes 25 ounces (1 ounce less than yours), but over 4 meals and an occasional snack.
The only question I might ask your pediatrician would be "could the all-day grazing be contributing to her weight?". Again, if the pediatrician is satisfied with the growth then no need to worry.
I don't think she is eating too much at all! My daughter was 9 lbs when she was born, is six and a half months now weighing 16'8 and eats more then that! Every baby is different!
N.-
I often wonder the same thing with my 7-month old son. He never pushes food away (except peas) and never turns his head either like he's full (unless I'm trying to wipe his face). It seems as though he is a bottomless pit! I don't use formula, so can't really compare with your amounts. At our 6-month dr appt he was almost 20 pounds but his length and head circumference were right in the same percentile charts so there was no concern. Don't worry about it!
I am not a pediatrician, but she seems fine to me. Is she crawling around yet? Many babies when the start to be more active will slow down in their weight gain. They may even loose weight. All babies gain differently, but as they grow up they moderate out. I think that as long as your pediatrician isn't concerned, then I wouldn't be. My oldest son never seemed to be full, and I thought he ate all the time. He was such a rolly polly baby that it looked like he was going to burst if you touched him- cute chubby baby. And he is now 4.5 years old and a thin beanpole and is one of the pickiest eaters I have ever seen.
You didn't describe her height, but I'm guessing if she's fitting lengthwise into 12-18 month sizes, she's just large for her age, as many babies are. Check with your pediatrician, but usually they say that if their growth curves stay in about the same proportion and don't change dramatically, there's not a problem.
I would skip the 7:30 bottle and just go the breakfast at that point. Just that little bit might help her weight adjust a little better. Though I don't know much about formula and how it works, so I might not be giving the best advice. But I do remember my daughter's schedule a little. I nursed her though, but her schedule was similar to yours only I didn't nurse her twice in the early morning. But babies have different needs and grow at different rates, so your little girl might just be a big baby. I bet she'll adjust to her weight once she gets older.
My son is also 8 months old and weighs 23 lbs. He is breastfed so I don't have a specific number of oz he eats a day, but he nurses 5-7 times a day and I would say is getting 24-26 oz of milk. I give him around 2-4 tbsps. of fruit/veggies twice a day--I make it myself, but it is probably equivalent to two small jars of baby food a day. I haven't gone too crazy with the solids yet, and his main source of food is breastmilk and he is still a very big boy--and my husband and are aren't big people. I don't worry about it as everyone I know says they also had chubby babies that grew into lean kids.
While looking this up I found this in yahoo answers. This is a woman with a 10 month old girl. Hope that this helps
6 am: 4 oz formula
8:30 am: 1/4 cup cereal 1 container fruit (Stage 2)
10:00 - 10:30: 6 oz formula
11:00 - 1:00: nap
2:00: 6 oz formula
4:00 - 5:00: Nap
6:00 pm: 1/4 cup cereal 1 container Veggie (stg. 2)
8:00 pm: 6 oz formula
8:30: bed
She sleeps all night
Hi N.- Al my kids were 90% until 12 monthes when they started walking and thinned out. My Dr. never seemed concerned and neither did I. I have always said it is great to have a fat happy baby. Now all 4 of my kids are healthy active (thin) kids.
Good Luck]B.
Looks like normal amounts to me. Most always babies do have the amazing ability to know just how much they need to eat, while you offer healthy food. I'd say she's just meant to be a big baby and will thin out as she grows taller and begins to walk/be more active as a toddler. Some babies are bigger and others are smaller by nature. Our first son ate and eats a LOT and has always been on the small/thin side. Our second son was much bigger, but has never been a big eater. Their metabolisms are very different from one another. Sounds normal to me...may want to bring it up at the 9 month checkup to make sure she's staying even along the growth chart and to ease your mind. :)
I would worry about her size. Was her weight ok at her last doctor visit? Don't use clothing sizes as a guide, my kids were always at least 2 to 3 sizes above what thier ages were. As long as she is growing properly on the growth chart relax and enjoy her.
